Wetherspoon Chairman Criticises Calls for Two-Third Pint Glasses in Pubs
By Sion Morgan
Tim Martin, the chairman of JD Wetherspoon, has spoken out against suggestions by academics to introduce two-third pint glasses in pubs, labelling the proposals as “slightly daft.” He urged against further regulations in the pub industry, emphasising that additional restrictions could drive more people to drink at home rather than in pubs. Martin’s comments followed the publication of a study by Cambridge University academics advocating for the use of two-third glasses, known as schooners, instead of pints to reduce alcohol consumption.
The pub giant, JD Wetherspoon, recently announced a bounce-back in profits despite a decrease in its pub estate. Martin dismissed the idea of reducing glass sizes to curb alcohol consumption, highlighting that smaller glasses in pubs would not necessarily lead to reduced drinking. He also criticised speculations about potential cuts in pub and hospitality opening hours, a notion denied by Labour ministers.
Wetherspoon reported a 73.5% increase in pre-tax profits to £73.9 million for the year ending July 28, with revenues up by 5.7% to £2.04 billion. This growth in profit was attributed to a rise in like-for-like sales by 7.6%, offsetting the reduction in pub sites, as the group sold 18 pubs and terminated the lease on nine others while opening two new sites. Although the pub firm’s profits have improved, they remain below pre-pandemic levels.
Currently operating 800 pubs, Wetherspoon aims to expand to 1,000 sites across the UK in the long term, despite recent downsizing. The company gained £8.9 million from pub sales but recorded an exceptional loss of £13.4 million related to pub disposals.
The debate over glass sizes and potential regulatory changes in the pub sector continues to provoke discussion, with industry leaders like Tim Martin emphasising the importance of a balanced approach to maintain a thriving pub culture in the UK.